Suffolk

Door from former Wyandanch Club clubhouse (now removed), SPLIA COLLECTIONS

Caleb Smith State Park

Local historians have pointed out that Caleb Smith State Park might well be designated one of Long Island’s State Historic Parks. There are an unusual number of historic buildings on the property. Among them is the Whitman House where in 1756/57 George Washington stopped when traveling between Virginia and Boston. Also here, during the Revolution,well-documented action took place when occupying British forces attempted to rob Caleb Smith whose residence still stands, now part of the main clubhouse. One of the doors, illustrated here below still bears the mark where a Tory’s cutlass slashed at him and missed. And also nearby is the old house that was the residence of Aaron S. Vail “who kept a house of entertainment for trout fishermen. His house was always homelike, and many noted men frequented it in the trouting season.” Among them was Daniel Webster (1782–1852) when a U.S. Senator.

Greenport - Wonderful Surprise!

It has recently been discovered that the Hanff House at 190 Sterling Street in Greenport is a four room First Period house that is encased, with additions, in a handsome 19th century Italianate exterior. This is a most interesting and exciting development. Today, there are very few First Period houses remaining on Long Island and each and every one is precious. Maybe this discovery solves the mystery of where Colonel George Washington stopped in 1756/57 while he waited for the boat to take him to New London—an incident recounted in Griffin’s Journal published in 1857.

Hanff House, Greenport. JOSEPH ADAMS, Photographer

As this house was listed on the National Register of Historical Places on September 13, 1984, it would qualify for the Federal Investment Tax Credit Program for income-producing properties. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 established a 20% federal income tax credit for the substantial rehabilitation of historic buildings that are on the National Register and used for commercial, industrial or rental purposes. If the owner wishes to take advantage of this credit, the contact is Julian Adams at the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, (518)237-8643, ext. 3282.